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History and Mission

Mission statement, FCLCA

The Friends Committee on Legislation of California (FCLCA), guided by Quaker values, advocates for California state laws that are just, compassionate and respectful of the inherent worth of every person.

Six Decades of Witness at the Capitol

It began in the darkest days of the McCarthy era. In a climate marked by the repression of civil rights, Russ Jorgensen, an activist with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), joined with other courageous Quakers who stood up to fearmongering and put their values into practice.

They recognized the importance of having a direct impact on California lawmakers.

Russ writes:

We held the founding meeting in May 1952 at the Berkeley Friends Church. We decided to start a new Friends Organization – a political counterpart of the AFSC, a state counterpart of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. In October of 1952 the office of FCL opened in the AFSC building on Sutter Street in San Francisco. Read more.

At the time of its founding FCLCA was one of the first “public interest” lobby groups in Sacramento. We’ve been called the longest running “cause” lobby in California.

At the beginning FCLCA often stood nearly alone in its support of unpopular causes - in many cases “ten years ahead of its time.” One of the great developments in the 60’s and 70’s was the growth in other public interest groups, providing FCLCA with stronger, more effective alliances. Read more in FCLCA’s 1967 report under "New Allies."

In the early years, FCLCA opposed the loyalty oath amendment to California’s constitution, universal military training (precursor to the draft) and then – as now - worked to abolish capital punishment.

In 2012 we celebrated 60 years of principled advocacy. Read about how we are building sustainability to last another 60 years through our .

Through a combination of lobbying, grassroots activism, education and respectful dialogue, FCLCA has played a key role in many issues:

Reform of the criminal justice system

Equal opportunity in jobs, housing, education

Civil liberties for people with AIDS

Rights of minorities, young people, women and the poor

Juvenile Justice

Militarism in schools

Farmworker rights and working conditions

Funding for human services and education

And over the six decades, FCLCA has built a strong reputation at the Capitol as a thoughtful voice of conscience - and that means that legislators and their staff listen when FCLCA weighs in.

Bills may come and go, but the need for a voice that looks at legislation through the lens of the inherent worth and dignity of every individual will never go away. FCLCA is here for the long haul.